CZECH REPUBLIC: Rightist leader Mirek Topolanek named prime minister faces a tough task in gaining support for his minority government after inconclusive June general election.

Rightist leader Mirek Topolanek was named Czech prime minister on Wednesday (August 16), but he faces a tough task in gaining support for his minority government after an inconclusive June general election. With an honour guard present at Prague's castle, President Vaclav Klaus named Topolanek after accepting the resignation of leftist Jiri Paroubek, which also triggered the fall of his government. Topolanek's Civic Democrats won the most votes in the election, but not a majority, and parliament has been deadlocked because the right and left-wing blocs hold the same number of seats in the lower house. Topolanek said after the appointment he had "a feeling of answerability", but the question still remains as to where he will find support in parliament for his minority government. Paroubek also said he expected some kind of resolution to the situation next week, although the process could take even longer if the two sides do not strike a deal. Topolanek has been trying to agree on a deal that would see Paroubek's Social Democrats, as well as the centrist Christian Democrats and Green Party support his cabinet. But the Social Democrats came second in the election, and are keen to keep as much power as possible and have said they do not want the two smaller parties involved in the deal. On Tuesday (August 15), Paroubek proposed a minority rightist government for two years, with early elections scheduled for 2008. In return, his party would get many key positions in parliament, including house speaker and chairman of the budget committee. However, this received a lukewarm response from Topolanek who said it would be impossible because the Czechs were scheduled to take over the European Union's rotating presidency in 2009 and preparations must be made well in advance. Analysts said a deal on a shorter term for a minority government may be reached, or Paroubek may try to form a government of his own by coaxing at least one centre or rightist deputy to cross the floor. "I think that Mr. Paroubek may be willing to tolerate the government of Mr. Topolanek only if the government is appointed for a short period of time. It means it would be a government which leads the country towards early elections of some sort, one year from now, two years from now," said political analyst Jiri Pehe. "But at the same time it seems that Mr. Paroubek is still convinced that he can form a majority government, he can form a government that will have majority support," he added noting that if Topolanek fails, the president may appoint someone else as prime minister.

ITN Source | August 17, 2006

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